Parents bash Pottstown Middle School boot ban

POTTSTOWN — A new ban on wearing outdoor boots in the classroom has some Pottstown Middle School parents and students stamping their feet in frustration.

In a letter sent home with students Wednesday, Principal Gail Cooper announced the ban, saying “we have been experiencing problems with some students wearing open top boots and carrying items in their boots that are prohibited in school.”

As a result, “following several problems with these items, I have banned the outdoor, open top boots from our classrooms,” Cooper wrote.

The letter did not elaborate on what kind of problems the unnamed items had posed.

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John Armato, director of community relations for the Pottstown School District, confirmed that one of the primary problems was with students hiding cell phones in their boots. He explained the boots in question are most often known as Ugg boots, mid-calf high with a fleece or fake fur lining.

The school has a policy regarding cell phones and other personal electronic devices.

According to the school’s handbook, students may bring cell phones to school but they “must be turned off “ and “kept in the student’s locker between 7:55 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.”

The handbook lays out progressive punishment for students caught with their cell phones, including confiscation; and two and then three school detentions; a visit by the parent to claim the equipment and even a one-day in-school suspension and extracurricular ineligibility.

“Students may continue to wear outdoor boots to and from school to protect them from cold, snow and ice but need to change into a pair of sneakers or shoes before entering homeroom. Students may also continue to wear lace up, tight at the ankle, boots, shoes and high top sneakers,” Cooper wrote in the letter.

Armato likened the new rule to wearing a winter coat or hat to get to school, which then must be removed before going to class.

The new rule goes into effect on Monday.

“It is our responsibility to maintain a safe and welcoming environment,” Cooper wrote. “I am asking for your support in helping to provide an environment that focuses on the education of your child.”

When news of the ban was posted on The Mercury’s Facebook page, reaction was swift, voluminous and resoundingly negative.

In less than an hour, more than 100 comments had been posted.

Some were mocking, some incredulous and a few supportive.

• “Hmmm. I know most girls hide them in there bra, or their waist band,” wrote Emily Ann Miller. “It’s ineffective they will just keep finding other places. Plus my phone fits in my sneaker.”

• “Quite absurd,” posted Darlene Roen Bainbridge. “How about a cell phone ban in school, as reasonable footwear is more necessary than a cell phone? UGG...Sounds like fashion profiling...lol!”

• “If a middle school student is determined enough to have their cell phone on them, believe me they will regardless of the shoes they are wearing,” wrote Jessica August. “I’m assuming this is applying to mostly girls since I rarely see any boys wearing Uggs.... Pockets, bras, socks, what’s next?? I think this is absurd!”

• “They should worry more about the kids who walk home and throw snowballs at cars and people and all the other things that are actually important,” Joanne Murray posted.

• “Another of the endless examples of treating symptoms thinking it will solve the underlying problem,” Ray Costanzo posted.

• “Are you seriously kidding me?” posted Julie Lyn Miller-Gallisdorfer. “What I have to say about this topic can’t be posted in any open forum for public viewing. When the schools started paying to raise and clothe my children then maybe...maybe they can have a say in dictating my child’s wardrobe. Totally ridiculous.”

• “Just take them (cell phones) when they have them in class, give them a detention and be done with it,” posted Jeni Alexander. “Making up 100 silly rules to deal with something that is inevitable is like swimming upstream. The fact that the school doesn’t enforce rules is the real issue — making more rules doesn’t enforce current or new rules. Take the phones, put them in detention, put them in in-school suspension.”

• “I told my kids that they should start a petition,” posted Kelly Annie Gunz Burton “I mean it’s bad enough they already wear uniforms and now they want to tell them what shoes they can wear. I could see if it was flip flops, but boots.”

• “Lol this is unreal,” posted Nikki Warsheski. “Schools worrying about kids hiding in cell phones in boots? They could be hiding much worse!”

• “Seriously if you told my child not to wear her Uggs,we would definitely have a court case here,” posted Kim Colucci Hritz. “My children do not go anywhere without their phones; too many pervs out there!! Have you read the paper lately?”

• “They are not using cell phones for emergencies,” posted James Burton. “They are using them to post on facebook. They are using them to find out what their friends are doing after school. They are using them to talk about other kids (bullying).”

• “It’s ridiculous,” posted Alyssia Harris Young. “They can hide a cell phone anywhere and she decides to target their shoes. I’m already not a fan of the uniforms as it is (which is more expensive since I still have to buy jeans, etc. and it increases my laundry) now they want now they want to tell me what shoes my kids can wear.”

But some came to the policy’s defense and said the complaints being posted on Facebook demonstrated the real source of the problem — parents with no respect for rules.

• “I think everyone can whine or complain all they want, but the fact is, rules are rules,” posted Caren Anne. “This is what was decided; you either request to talk to someone about it or live with it. Be a parent, be an adult. Commenting on something on facebook is NOT going to change the rules. It doesn’t work that way. That being said, I think Gail Cooper is an excellent principal and I’m sure her decision was in the best interest of everyone.”

• “I thought this article was ridiculous but half these comments make it worse,” Mike Brantner posted. “Some of you people crying about this obviously care more about making an appearance rather than GOING TO SCHOOL TO GET EDUCATED! Its a wonder kids today are half morons!!”

• “The majority of these comments just reinforces the reason for “silly” rules to be made at school; the parents do not parent,” Alyce Musser posted. “Who cares if you think a rule is silly? It is still a rule and your child should abide by them. You and your child are not above anyone else. You aren’t teaching your child anything but to be disrespectful.”